Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with
Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on
Government Organization was held on Monday, April 4, 2011, in the Betty King
Committee Room at Austin, Texas.

*****

MEMBERS
PRESENT:

MEMBERS
ABSENT:

Senator Rodney Ellis, Chair

Senator Steve Ogden

Senator Glenn Hegar, Vice Chair

Senator Brian Birdwell

Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.

Senator Jane Nelson

Senator John Whitmire

*****

The chair called the meeting to order at 9:01 AM.
There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The chair laid out SB 1420 and recognized the
author, Senator Hinojosa, to explain the bill.

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are
shown on the attached list.

At 9:33 AM Senator Nelson assumed the chair.

At 9:35 AM Senator Ellis resumed the chair.

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed;
without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator
Birdwell sent up Committee Amendment 1. Senator Hinojosa was recognized to
discuss Amendment 1 (commission) to SB 1420, relating
to the continuation and functions of the Texas Department of Transportation;
providing penalties.

Senator
Birdwell sent up Committee Amendment 2. Senator Hinojosa was recognized to
discuss Amendment 2 (written complaints process) to SB 1420, relating to the continuation and functions of the Texas
Department of Transportation; providing penalties.

Senator
Birdwell sent up Committee Amendment 3. Senator Hinojosa was recognized to
discuss Amendment 3( lobby provision) to SB 1420, relating
to the continuation and functions of the Texas Department of Transportation;
providing penalties.

Senator
Birdwell sent up Committee Amendment 4. Senator Hinojosa was recognized to
discuss Amendment 4 (public hotline) to SB 1420, relating
to the continuation and functions of the Texas Department of Transportation;
providing penalties.

Senator
Birdwell sent up Committee Amendment 5. Senator Hinojosa was recognized to
discuss Amendment 5 (use of state money) to SB 1420, relating
to the continuation and functions of the Texas Department of Transportation;
providing penalties.

Senator
Birdwell sent up Committee Amendment 6. Senator Hinojosa was recognized to
discuss Amendment 6 (waiving payment) to SB 1420, relating
to the continuation and functions of the Texas Department of Transportation;
providing penalties.

Senator
Birdwell sent up Committee Amendment 7. Senator Hinojosa was recognized to
discuss Amendment 7 (integration plans and policy) to SB 1420, relating to the continuation and functions of the Texas
Department of Transportation; providing penalties.

Senator
Birdwell sent up Committee Amendment 8. Senator Hinojosa was recognized to
discuss Amendment 8 (employee performance evaluation) to SB 1420, relating to the continuation and functions of the Texas
Department of Transportation; providing penalties.

Senator
Birdwell sent up Committee Amendment 9. Senator Hinojosa was recognized to
discuss Amendment 9 ( project prioritization and funding allocation) to SB
1420, relating to the continuation and functions of
the Texas Department of Transportation; providing penalties.

Senator
Birdwell sent up Committee Amendment 10. Senator Hinojosa was recognized to
discuss Amendment 10 (on-line reporting)to SB 1420, relating to the continuation and
functions of the Texas Department of Transportation; providing penalties.

Senator
Birdwell sent up Committee Amendment 11. Senator Hinojosa was recognized to
discuss Amendment 11 (compensation and benefits) to SB 1420, relating to the continuation and functions of the Texas
Department of Transportation; providing penalties. Amendment 11 was
withdrawn.

Senator
Birdwell sent up Committee Amendment 12. Senator Hinojosa was recognized to
discuss Amendment 12 (conflicts of interest) to SB 1420, relating to the continuation and functions of the Texas
Department of Transportation; providing penalties. Amendment 12 was
withdrawn.

Senator
Birdwell sent up Committee Amendment 13. Senator Hinojosa was recognized to
discuss Amendment 13 (prior corridors) to SB 1420, relating
to the continuation and functions of the Texas Department of Transportation;
providing penalties. Amendment 13 was withdrawn.

Senator
Birdwell sent up Committee Amendment 14. Senator Hinojosa was recognized to
discuss Amendment 14 (design build contracts) to SB 1420, relating to the continuation and functions of the Texas
Department of Transportation; providing penalties. Amendment 14 was
withdrawn.

Senator
Birdwell sent up Committee Amendment 15. Senator Birdwell was recognized to
discuss Amendment 15 (TXDOT accounts) to SB 1420, relating
to the continuation and functions of the Texas Department of Transportation,
on behalf of Senator Ogden.Amendment 15
was withdrawn.

Senator
Birdwell sent up Committee Amendment 16. Senator Birdwell was recognized to
discuss Amendment 16 (environmental review process) to SB 1420, relating to the continuation and functions of the Texas
Department of Transportation, on behalf of Senator Ogden.Amendment 16 was withdrawn.

Senator
Birdwell sent up Committee Amendment 17. Senator Birdwell was recognized to
discuss Amendment 17 (preference for Texas providers) to SB 1420, relating to the continuation and functions of the Texas
Department of Transportation, on behalf of Senator Lucio.Amendment 17 was withdrawn.

Senator
Birdwell sent up Committee Amendment 18. Senator Birdwell was recognized to
discuss Amendment 18 (comprehensive development agreements) to SB 1420, relating to the continuation and functions of the Texas
Department of Transportation.Amendment 18 was withdrawn.

Senator
Ellis moved that SB 1420 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The
chair laid out SB 1058 and recognized the author, Senator Nichols, to explain
the bill.

Witnesses
testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

The
chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so
ordered.

Senator
Ellis moved that SB 1058 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The
chair laid out SB 653 and recognized the author, Senator Whitmire, to explain
the bill.

Senator
Whitmire sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Whitmire
to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill
as filed. Senator Whitmire moved adoption of the committee substitute; without
objection, it was so ordered.

Witnesses
testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

At
10:22 AM Senator Hegar assumed the chair.

The
chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so
ordered.

Senator
Whitmire sent up Committee Amendment 1. Senator Whitmire was recognized to
discuss Amendment 1 (purpose of bill) to SB 653 on
behalf of Senator Hinojosa. Amendment 1 was withdrawn.

Senator
Whitmire sent up Committee Amendment 3. Senator Whitmire was recognized to
discuss Amendment 3 (human resource code- transition team make up and board )
to SB 653 on behalf of Senator Hinojosa. Amendment 3
was withdrawn.

Senator Birdwell sent up Committee Amendment 2. Senator Birdwell
was recognized to discuss Amendment 2 (priority power to certain medical
facilities) to SB 661 on behalf of Senator Lucio. Amendment 2 was withdrawn.

Senator Birdwell sent up Committee Amendment 3. Senator Birdwell
was recognized to discuss Amendment 3 (discounted rates for school and
institutions of higher education) to SB 661 on behalf of Senator Lucio.
Amendment 3 was withdrawn.

Senator Ellis moved that SB 1072 be left pending; without
objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 652 and recognized the author, Senator
Hegar, to explain the bill.

Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without
objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Hegar sent up Committee Amendment 1 (Windham school) to SB
652 and explained it on behalf of Senator Whitmire. Amendment 1 was withdrawn.

Senator Birdwell sent up Committee Amendment 2 (task force date)
to SB 652 and explained it on behalf of Senator Lucio. Amendment 2 was
withdrawn.

Senator Ellis moved that SB 652 be left pending; without
objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 12:33 PM Senator Ellis moved
that the Committee stand recessed until after adjournment of the Senate.
Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 5:50 PM Senator Ellis reconvened the meeting.

Upon arrival of a quorum, the chair laid out SB 652.Senator Hegar sent up Committee Amendment 1,
which was previously explained and moved adoption; without objection, the
amendment was adopted.

Senator Hegar requested unanimous consent to incorporate the
amendment into a committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Hegar then moved that the committee substitute be adopted; without
objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hegar moved that SB 652 do not pass but
that CSSB 652 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do
pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0
present not voting, and 1 absent.

The chair laid out CSSB 653. Senator Whitmire moved that SB 653 do
not pass but that CSSB 653 be reported back to the Senate with the
recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record
vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

The chair laid out SB 661. Senator Hegar sent up a committee
substitute as previously explained. Senator Hegar moved adoption of the
committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.Senator Hegar moved that SB 661 do not pass
but that CSSB 661 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that
it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0
nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

The chair laid out pending business SB 662. Senator Hegar sent up
a committee substitute as previously explained by the author. Senator Hegar
moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so
ordered.

Senator Hegar moved that SB 662 do not pass but that CSSB 662 be
reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be
printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not
voting, and 1 absent.

Senator Ellis sent up Committee Amendment 1 and explained the
amendment. Amendment 1 was withdrawn.

At 5:56 PM Senator Ellis resumed the chair.

Senator Hegar moved that SB 663 be reported favorably to the
Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion
carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1
absent.

The chair laid outSB 1058.

Senator Hegar moved that SB 1058 be reported favorably to the Senate
with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with
a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

Senator Hegar moved that the bill be recommended for placement on
the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1420.

Senator
Hegar sent up Committee Amendment 19 (commission) to SB 1420and moved adoption; without objection, the
amendment was adopted.

Senator
Birdwell sent up Committee Amendment 2, which was previously explainedand moved adoption; without objection, the
amendment was adopted.

Senator
Birdwell sent up Committee Amendment 3, which was previously explainedand moved adoption; without objection, the
amendment was adopted.

Senator
Birdwell sent up Committee Amendment 4, which was previously explainedand moved adoption; without objection, the
amendment was adopted.

Senator
Birdwell sent up Committee Amendment 5, which was previously explainedand moved adoption; without objection, the
amendment was adopted.

Senator
Birdwell sent up Committee Amendment 6, which was previously explainedand moved adoption; without objection, the
amendment was adopted.

Senator
Birdwell sent up Committee Amendment 7, which was previously explainedand moved adoption; without objection, the
amendment was adopted.

Senator
Birdwell sent up Committee Amendment 8, which was previously explainedand moved adoption; without objection, the
amendment was adopted.

Senator
Birdwell sent up Committee Amendment 9, which was previously explainedand moved adoption; without objection, the
amendment was adopted.

Senator
Birdwell sent up Committee Amendment 10, which was previously explainedand moved adoption; without objection, the
amendment was adopted.

Senator
Hegar requested unanimous consent to incorporate the amendments into a
committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hegar then
moved that the committee substitute be adopted; without objection, it was so
ordered. Senator Hegar moved that SB 1420 do not pass but that CSSB 1420 be
reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be
printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not
voting, and 1 absent.

There
being no further business, at 6:06 PM Senator Ellis moved that the Committee
stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so
ordered.